A new year! A new start! Resolutions… changes… expectations… Oh boy.
Personally, I don’t make new year’s resolutions as I tend not to stick to them (at least I’m honest!). And in any case, I have a habit of making new plans and setting goals for myself almost weekly… it’s just the way I flow.
However, for many people the start of a new year is the perfect time to kick back into forgotten goals and fresh ideas. Already this week heaps of people have come through the clinic wanting to get their health back on track and make a plan to stay well in the months ahead.
Post-festive season is an obvious time for many of us to think about being well and doing good. An excess of everything naughty and treat-like during the previous month (or few?) makes the idea of being virtuous so very appealing.
A good old-fashioned detox can help with festive season fallout – but I would also suggest setting achievable goals that can be maintained long-term.
Setting an intention (e.g. better health, less alcohol, more sunshine, deeper relationships) is a gentle and realistic way to get yourself on track – and stay there.
The benefit of this is that you don’t have to adhere to any hard-and-fast rules, nor strict guidelines or ball-busting regimes. Instead, it’s something you can focus on throughout the year and adjust your plans accordingly.
Let me give you an example:
I intend to sleep better this year, which means I’ll be more rested and refreshed at work, have more energy through the day, feel generally more inspired, have clearer skin, brighter eyes, and will be even nicer to my husband.
Now, I haven’t said: “I will have 8 hours of sleep each night” – if I did, I would most likely break my resolution immediately, huff and puff, throw my hands in the air and never sleep properly again (I may be exaggerating slightly).
However, if my intention is to sleep better overall I can adjust my (ever-changing) plans accordingly – not taking on too much extra work, turning the computer off by a certain time each night, getting myself up with the sun, eating more protein during the day – and stick with those habitual adjustments that suit me best.
What will your intention be?
Where will this year take you?